NHS Highland bosses ban staff at Raigmore Hospital from posting uplifting videos on social media during coronavirus crisis

Videos of frontline staff dancing have gone viral across the UK but a manager at Raigmore Hospital has called for the practice to stop.

The warning came after complaints about a picture of staff accepting a gift of food from a local restaurant.

The staff were standing close together and not socially distancing.

In the email to frontline workers – leaked to the Highland News, the Strathy's sister newspaper – the unnamed department head told staff to stop taking photographs or making videos while at work.

NHS Highland staff are among hundreds of hospital workers across the UK who have posted photographs on social media to thank people and businesses for donations during the coronavirus pandemic.

They have also shared uplifting videos of dance routines, including one in support of last week’s Big Night In televised fundraiser which generated £67 million for charity.

The senior member of staff – understood to oversee the radiology and other departments at Raigmore – said: “I am extremely disappointed to have seen a picture of seven [radiology staff] in uniform standing closely side-by-side for a photo for the Café 1 lunch donation.

“I believe this picture has been widely disseminated and is now subject to public scrutiny for the lack of social distancing and professionalism during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As NHS professionals we should be leading by example by employing social distancing and safe practices to keep ourselves, our families, colleagues and patients safe.

“The radiology department and indeed Raigmore Hospital have been brought into disrepute.”

The email continues: “I realise these are difficult times where ‘normal’ is not ‘normal’ anymore but as professionals we must be mindful of our actions and also posting (or permitting third parties to post) pictures/videos during work shifts.

“I would therefore strongly advocate that you refrain from posting (or allowing third parties to post) pictures/dances/videos etc on social media while at work.”

It has been met with dismay by some staff.

One NHS Highland worker, who did not want to be named, said: “We are being treated like children.

“The criticism from bosses in NHS Highland is never finished with. We are exhausted and working all the hours we physically can.

“We work next to each other day-in and day-out. Come on, get a grip. If we want to say thank you for all the support we are getting from the public, we will. It is much more supportive than this email.”

It comes a week after the health board’s HR director Fiona Hogg circulated an email to staff warning they face disciplinary action if they refuse to go to work. Some office staff believed they could do their job from home.

Asking that staff on the frontline are given an easier time from managers, Inverness councillor Ron MacWilliam said: “The frontline workers at Raigmore are heroes and the stress they’re working under is extreme.

“It’s so easy to get roped into a huddled photo shoot, we all do it, and yes it’s an unfortunate look when it’s health workers during a pandemic.

“I suspect these photos were taken in the moment and aren’t indicative of the social distancing our NHS staff are actually practicing.

“There is guidance on distancing at work for all NHS staff, which can be difficult to stick to in many settings, but we all need to celebrate the work they’re doing rather than focus on what looks like a minor error of judgement. They’re putting themselves on the line for us all and I have nothing but admiration and respect.”

Regional MSP David Stewart said: “While this is a matter for NHS Highland managers, it will be very hard for frontline staff to social distance as they are literally hands-on with some patients and on many occasions it is vital they work as a team.

“Staff in very stressful situations may feel the need to release some tension with a bit of fun and who can blame them?

“As to whether that’s inappropriate, that is up to the workers and the management to discuss and come to an amicable solution.”

NHS Highland did not response to repeated requests for comment over a period of several days.

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